Camp Innovation

For rising grades 4-12, June - August, 2018 at MSiC Campus and John Tyler Community College, Midlothian. See class details for dates and times.

Each summer, students in rising grades 4-12 have participated in week-long courses on science, biology, computer technology, engineering, and more. This year we have added two new High School classes - "Tank 2 Table" and "Nanoscience: Small Doors Open Big Futures". Both of these are full day classes for rising 10-12 graders.

As always, all of our classes are packed with adventure, creativity, exploration, and design. Each Camp Innovation course offers students an opportunity to dive deep into subjects that will prepare them for future academic pursuits, and spark interest in career fields they may not have considered before.

Camp Innovation is MSiC’s largest and most popular student program. Courses are offered in multiple locations and multple weeks during the summer. Sign up for a half-day or a full-day summer course in science or math or technology or engineering, and inspire innovation in your student!

Program Information

All students are welcome to participate - public, private, and homeschool

Extend the Camp Day!

MSiC is proud to offer after-camp classes with our partners at Championship Chess and Edible Education. These after-camp classes run from 4:15pm to 5:15pm at the MSiC campus. Registration is handled separately by each vendor. Use the links below for more information and to register your student.

Click the buttons below to skip down to classes organized by week and grade level:

MSiC Campus, June 18-29, 2018

10th - 12th Graders

Tank to Table (full-day)Experience a “hands-on”, in-depth study of Aquaculture. Learn the STEM of Aquaponics through field trips and guest professionals. An application and selection process is required for this two week, 9am-4pm, course.

MSiC Campus, July 9-13, 2018

Rising 10th - 12th Graders

Nanoscience: Small Doors Open Big Futures (full-day)Enter a world that seems to defy the laws of physics; a world where electrical forces rule and gravity takes a back seat. Enter a world where researchers and engineers achieve remarkable feats by manipulating matter and creating structures at the level of individual atoms. Explore the world of matter at the nano-scale and its potential for revolutionizing engineering, medicine, environmental, material science, and more.

MSIC Campus, July 16-20, 2018

MSiC Rising 4th and 5th Graders

Block by Block (Minecraft®)Using your imagination and design skills delve into the world of Minecraft and explore how it relates to architectural and electrical design in the real world. Teams will complete a final challenge and design a plan to survive their world using the knowledge gained throughout the course.

Crime Scene Chemistry Become a super sleuth and junior chemist as you learn how forensic scientists use chemistry to solve crimes. Analyze fingerprints, fibers, and handwriting samples to figure out who the culprit is.

Engineering for the FutureNASA plans to send humans to Mars by the 2030’s but is it possible? Become a junior NASA engineer, astronaut, and scientist as you learn about space exploration and design ways to get to Mars and survive there.

The Power of PokémonHow does Alakazam have psychic powers or Machamp have super strength? If you have experience in the game Pokémon come explore the math and science behind characters and the strategy of gameplay. Use your new found skills and knowledge to compete in a TCG Pokémon tournament.

MSiC Rising 6th and 7th Graders, July 16 - 20, 2018

Architectural DesignDiscover the historic and modern elements of architecture used in the building of Richmond. Take tours and visit local museums. Design and build your own model of an urban building incorporating “green architecture”.

My Job is Out of this World!Learn what it's like to work and live in space. Discover what it takes to become an astronaut. Find ways to keep you and your crewmates safe in the hostile environment away from Earth. Learn to control remote vehicles so that you can explore far-off places. Develop your skills as a member of a team as you experience missions in the Challenger Center for Space Science Education. Your job is Out of This World!

Mysteries of Biomedical Science Unlocked (full-day)Examine human body functions and explore ways to treat and cure disease through the development of advanced diagnostic tools and new treatment strategies. Use advanced lab technology, innovative imaging equipment, computers and more to understand medicines big breakthroughs

MSiC Campus, July 23-27, 2018

MSiC Rising 4th and 5th Graders

Coding with CreativityAre you curious about the world of coding and animation? Using Scratch, MakeyMakey, and a lot of imagination design animated worlds with your own characters and backgrounds that you can control using a simple circuit and everyday objects.

LEGO: Building to ExploreDid you know that you can build a lion out of LEGO’s that will roar and move? Using LEGO’s, motors, and programming you will work in small teams to construct and test different machines and then be challenged to create your own.

Slippery, Slimy Odd PetsDiscover the joy and adventure that aquatic pets can bring as you explore the world of fish, frogs, toads, turtles, and other slithering slimies. Explore their habitats and learn how they survive through hands-on investigations and field trips. Take your very own aquatic pet home with you at the end of the course.

Snap, Crackle, Pop! ChemistryThe wonders of chemistry will unfold before your eyes and mouth as you make root beer, ice cream, and goo. See what it is like to work in a chemistry lab and discover what happens when certain chemicals react with each other.

D2P2, Digital Design Python Programming (full-day)Python is one of the easiest programming languages to learn and use yet it is very powerful. Learn to write your own programs and take them home with you.

Disease DetectivesBecome a Disease Detective and develop your powers of observation and analysis to diagnose a variety of both common and mysterious illnesses. Perform lab activities and learn to use NIH image-Processing. Includes a clinical lab field trip.

Digital Detectives (full-day)Examine the ever-changing world of cybersecurity and discover how items like Wireshark, packet analyzers, and keys are used to penetrate systems. Learn the ins-and-outs of hacking and what it means to be an ethical hacker.

LEGO: Advanced Machines and RobotsDo you enjoy robotics and are an advanced LEGO programmer? Use the LEGO brain, NXT to build and program machines and vehicles and tackle challenges designed for the next level of LEGO Robotics. REQUIRED: LEGO: Building to Explore class or programming in FLL.

Rocks, Crystals, and GemsHave you ever wondered how a crystal forms or why a diamond can cut glass? Take a journey through the rock cycle to create crystals, explore rock features in Richmond, and go on a scavenger hunt at Lora Robin's gallery to find some amazing gems.

MSiC Rising 6th - 7th Graders, July 30 - August 3, 2018

Forensics Crime SceneDiscover how scientists and law enforcement work together to find out “who dunnit” in a crime. Explore the techniques of finger-printing and casting footprints, investigate a crime scene and more.

Nanotechnology: Science of the SmallEnter the world of the “science of the small” to learn about the applications of nanotechnology. Explore the development of superfast computers, organic LEDs, smart fabrics, biobots, ferrofluids and new space materials.

MSiC Rising 8th - 9th Graders, July 30 - August 3, 2018

Lasers, Fiber Optics, and HologramsLearn the basics of light energy and use lasers to study the wave and particle nature of light. Develop a fiber optic communication link and create reflection holograms. Take home your own hologram!

Survivor: Business WorldWithin a team, you will choose a product or service then create a business plan, marketing strategy, acquire financing, set up accounting and establish a competitive price. Convince as many investors as you can to see if you can “outwit, outplay and outlast” the competition.

John Tyler Community College, Midlothian, July 9-13, 2018

JTCC Rising 4th - 5th Graders

LEGO: Building to ExploreDid you know that you can build a lion out of LEGO’s that will roar and move? Using LEGO’s, motors, and programming you will work in small teams to construct and test different machines and then be challenged to create your own.

Engineering on the GoWhat makes cars go fast and boats float? What are magnetic levitating trains? Explore the different types of transportation that makes the world move. Have fun discovering why hot air balloons fly and what makes a rocket soar. Design, build, and test your very own vehicle. The sky is the limit for imagination and adventure!

Snap, Crackle, Pop! ChemistryThe wonders of chemistry will unfold before your eyes and mouth as you make root beer, ice cream, and goo. See what it is like to work in a chemistry lab and discover what happens when certain chemicals react with each other.

JTCC Rising 6th - 7th Graders, July 9-13, 2018

Disease DetectivesBecome a Disease Detective and develop your powers of observation and analysis to diagnose a variety of both common and mysterious illnesses. Perform lab activities and learn to use NIH image-Processing. Includes a clinical lab field trip.

JTCC Rising 8th - 9th Graders

D2P2, Digital Design Python Programming (full-day)Python is one of the easiest programming languages to learn and use yet it is very powerful. Learn to write your own programs and take them home with you.

John Tyler Community College, Midlothian, July 23-27, 2018

JTCC Rising 4th - 5th Graders

Coding with CreativityAre you curious about the world of coding and animation? Using Scratch, MakeyMakey, and a lot of imagination design animated worlds with your own characters and backgrounds that you can control using a simple circuit and everyday objects.

Rocks, Crystals, and GemsHave you ever wondered how a crystal forms or why a diamond can cut glass? Take a journey through the rock cycle to create crystals, explore rock features in Richmond, and go on a scavenger hunt at Lora Robin's gallery to find some amazing gems.

JTTC Rising 6th - 7th Graders, July 23-27, 2018

Architectural DesignDiscover the historic and modern elements of architecture used in the building of Richmond. Take tours and visit local museums. Design and build your own model of an urban building incorporating “green architecture”.

Lasers, Fiber Optics, and HologramsLearn the basics of light energy and use lasers to study the wave and particle nature of light. Develop a fiber optic communication link and create reflection holograms. Take home your own hologram!

JTTC Rising 8th - 9th Graders, July 23-27, 2018

Digital Detectives (full-day)Examine the ever-changing world of cybersecurity and discover how items like Wireshark, packet analyzers, and keys are used to penetrate systems. Learn the ins-and-outs of hacking and what it means to be an ethical hacker.